U.S. patent application number 09/921907 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-21 for vaccum cleaner.
Invention is credited to Hong, Sang Wook, Oh, Dong Yeop, Park, Yong Dol.
Application Number | 20020032947 09/921907 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26638394 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020032947 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oh, Dong Yeop ; et
al. |
March 21, 2002 |
Vaccum cleaner
Abstract
A vacuum cleaner has a case including a dust chamber filtering
dust included in air, an appliance chamber sucking the filtered air
from the dust chamber and discharging the air through a discharge
port, and a cord chamber storing a wound electrical cord. A fan
motor assembly is installed inside the appliance chamber of the
case for forcedly sucking the air inside the appliance chamber and
discharging the air. An exhaust duct is installed between the fan
motor assembly and the discharge port in the case and guiding the
air discharged from the fan motor assembly to the discharge port,
and a flowing passage is disposed between the dust chamber and the
cord chamber so that the air is able to flow therein, whereby
overheating of case and of the electrical cord can be prevented and
the durability and reliability of the cleaner can be enhanced.
Inventors: |
Oh, Dong Yeop; (Seoul,
KR) ; Hong, Sang Wook; (Seoul, KR) ; Park,
Yong Dol; (Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
26638394 |
Appl. No.: |
09/921907 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/323 ;
15/327.7; 15/413 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/26 20130101; A47L
9/00 20130101; A47L 9/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/323 ;
15/327.7; 15/413 |
International
Class: |
A47L 009/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 19, 2000 |
KR |
54845/2000 |
Nov 28, 2000 |
KR |
71306/2000 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a case having a dust chamber for
filtering dust included in sucked-in air, an appliance chamber
communicated with the dust chamber for sucking filtered air from
the dust chamber and discharging the air outside, and a cord
chamber for storing a wound electrical cord therein; a fan motor
assembly installed in the appliance chamber of the case for
forcedly sucking the air in the appliance chamber and discharging
the air; an exhaust duct means installed between the fan motor
assembly and a discharge port in the case and guiding air
discharged from the fan motor assembly to the discharge port; and a
flowing passage means disposed between the dust chamber and the
cord chamber for enabling the air to flow therebetween.
2. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a case including a dust chamber for
filtering dust included in sucked-in air, and an appliance chamber
communicated with the dust chamber sucking the filtered air from
the dust chamber and discharging the air outside through a
discharge port of the case; a fan motor assembly installed inside
the appliance chamber of the case for forcedly sucking the air from
inside the dust chamber and discharging the air; and an exhaust
duct means installed between the fan motor assembly and the
discharge port of the case, for guiding air discharged from the fan
motor assembly to the discharge port.
3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein exhaust ports
are formed in a peripheral surface of the fan motor assembly, and
the exhaust duct means is extended from the peripheral surface of
the fan motor assembly to the discharge port.
4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein an acoustically
absorbent member is installed between the fan motor assembly and
the exhaust duct means.
5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein exhaust ports
are formed in a rear surface of the fan motor assembly, and the
exhaust duct means is extended from the rear surface of the fan
motor assembly to the discharge port.
6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein a filter holder
is formed at the discharge port of the case so that an exhaust
filter can be installed thereat, and the exhaust duct means is
fixed over the filter holder.
7. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a case wherein a dust chamber for
filtering dust included in sucked-in air and a cord passage chamber
having a cord hole on one side thereof for storing a wound
electrical cord therein are provided inside the case separated from
each other; and at least one flowing passage means provided between
the dust chamber and the cord chamber so that the air is able to
flow therebetween.
8. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, wherein a partition
wall is formed between the dust chamber and the cord chamber, and
the flowing passage means is formed by a port formed through the
partition wall.
9. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, wherein the flowing
passage means communicates the dust chamber with an upper part of
the cord chamber.
10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 9, wherein the cord
passage hole is located in a lower part of the cord chamber.
11. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, wherein the flowing
passage means and the cord passage hole are located at opposite
sides of the cord chamber from each other.
12. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, wherein an auxiliary
port communicated to the outside is formed in a lower part of the
cord chamber of the case.
13. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 12, wherein the flowing
passage means is located in an upper part of the cord chamber.
14. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, wherein the flowing
passage means has a sectional area of not more than 20
mm.sup.2.
15. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 7, further comprising an
appliance chamber for sucking the filtered air from inside the dust
chamber and discharging the air outwardly, wherein the appliance
chamber and the cord chamber are separated from each other and
communicated with each other through the dust chamber.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and
particularly, to a vacuum cleaner in which an appliance chamber
forming a suction force and a cord chamber for storing and winding
an electrical cord are included.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] Generally, a vacuum cleaner is an appliance for removing
foreign materials such as dirt, dust and debris using a strong
suction force generated by operation of a fan motor assembly.
[0005] A conventional vacuum cleaner, as shown in FIG. 1, includes
a case 10 in which a suction head 1, an extension tube 3, and a
suction hose 5 are connected in series so as to suck up the foreign
materials such as dust therethrough.
[0006] In addition, a dust chamber 12 including a dust bag 20 for
collecting the foreign materials such as dust included in the
sucked air is disposed at the inner front side of the case 10, and
an appliance chamber 13 generating suction force and a cord chamber
14 for storing a wound electrical cord are disposed to the rear of
the dust chamber 12 parting inside the case.
[0007] A suction port 15 communicating with the dust chamber 12 is
formed in a front part of the appliance chamber 13, a fan motor
assembly 30 for generating the suction force is installed to the
rear of the suction port 15, and a discharge port 16 for
discharging therethrough the sucked air to the outside of the case
10 is installed at the rear side of the fan motor assembly 30. In
addition, an exhaust filter 17 is installed at the discharge port
16.
[0008] A cord reel 42 for winding the electrical cord 41 is
installed in the cord chamber 14, and the cord reel 42 is rotated
on a reel axle shaft 40 supported inside of the case 10.
[0009] The structure of the appliance chamber and core chamber in
the conventional vacuum cleaner will now be described, with
reference to FIGS. 2 through 7.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line A-A
in FIG. 1, and showing the internal structure of the appliance
chamber, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the fan
motor assembly installed in the appliance chamber shown in FIG.
2.
[0011] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fan motor assembly 30
installed in the appliance chamber 13 includes a driving motor 31
having a rotating shaft 32; a centrifugal fan 34 installed on the
rotating shaft 32 of the driving motor 31; a guide vane wheel 35
installed between the driving motor 31 and the centrifugal fan 34
and guiding the air discharged from the centrifugal fan 34 to the
driving motor 31 through a plurality of vanes 35a and an opening
hole 35b in the central part thereof; and a fan cover 36, in which
the centrifugal fan 34 and the guide vane 35 are enclosed,
communicating with the suction port 15 communicated with the dust
chamber 12.
[0012] Herein, a motor housing 33 including a stator and a rotor is
installed in the driving motor 31, and an inlet port 33a for
introducing the air discharged through the opening hole 35b of the
guide vane 35 is disposed in a front side of the motor housing 33.
In addition, an exhaust port 33b for discharging the air sucked
inside the housing 33 to the appliance chamber 13 is formed in a
peripheral surface of the housing 33.
[0013] In addition, the peripheral surface of the motor housing 33
is covered by an acoustically absorbent sleeve 38 made of a
multiperforated film, whereby the outside of the exhaust hole 33b
is covered, and at the same time, the noise generated when the air
is discharged from the motor housing 33 is reduced.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line B-B
in FIG. 1, showing the inner structure of the cord chamber, and
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the cord reel installed in the cord
chamber in FIG. 4.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 4, a cord passage hole 19 is formed in the
cord chamber 14 on rear side of the case 10 so that the electrical
cord can be drawn therethrough, and the cord reel 42 including a
hub 43 and reel flanges 44 is installed inside the cord chamber 14
so that the electrical cord 41 can be wound thereonto.
[0016] The cord reel 42 is installed to be rotational on the reel
axle shaft 40 so that the electrical cord 41 is able to be wound or
unwound.
[0017] Herein, heat is generated in the electrical cord 41 while
operating the vacuum cleaner, and especially, as vacuum cleaners
having strong suction force using motors of high-efficiency and
high-energy are developed, more heat is generated in the electrical
cord 41.
[0018] Also, as the size of the vacuum cleaners is becoming smaller
than before, consequently the internal space available for storing
the electrical cord 41 becomes smaller. Therefore, the electrical
cord 41 must be wound more densely on the cord reel 42 and smaller
gauge cords may be adopted, whereby the heating value per unit
volume is increased, and accordingly, the temperature of the
electrical cord 41 approaches to the safety threshold level.
[0019] Therefore, in order to prevent the rising of the temperature
in the electrical cord 41, a plurality of cooling holes 43a and 44a
through which the air passes are formed in the cord reel 42 so that
the electrical cord 41 may be cooled through heat exchange with the
air flowing thereover and therethrough smoothly, as shown in FIG.
7.
[0020] The conventional vacuum cleaner having the structure
including the appliance chamber 13 and the cord chamber 14 as
described above is operated as follows.
[0021] First, in order to operate the vacuum cleaner, electrical
power must be supplied to the vacuum cleaner, and accordingly, a
user draws out the electrical cord 41 wound on the cord reel 42
inside the cord chamber 14 to a certain length, and inserts a plug
disposed on end of the electrical cord 41 into a wall electric
outlet so that the electric current is able to be supplied to the
vacuum cleaner.
[0022] When the electric current is applied to the vacuum cleaner,
the driving motor 31 is operated, and the centrifugal fan 34 inside
the appliance chamber 13 rotates, whereby foreign materials such as
dust are sucked with the air into the dust bag 20 through the
suction head 1 and suction hose 5 by the suction force of sucking
the air inside the dust chamber 12.
[0023] As described above, the air sucked inside the dust bag 20
flows toward the appliance chamber 30 by the continuing suction
operation of the fan motor assembly. At that time, the foreign
materials such as dust included in the air are left inside the dust
bag 20 by filtering, and the air passing through the dust bag 20 is
sucked into the appliance chamber 30, and after that, the air is
discharged outside of the vacuum cleaner through the discharge port
16 in the case 10.
[0024] The flowing process of the air inside the appliance chamber
30 will now be described. The air sucked through the suction port
15 between the dust chamber 12 and the appliance chamber 13 enters
into the centrifugal fan 34 through the suction port 36a in the fan
cover 36. And the air passed through the centrifugal fan 34 flows
toward the center from the peripheral surfaces of the guide vanes
35, and after that the air is sucked into the motor housing 33
through the opening hole 35b in the center of the guide vane
35.
[0025] The air entering into the motor housing 33 cools down the
motor parts such as the stator and the rotor, and after that, the
air is discharged into the inside of the case through the exhaust
port 33b in the motor housing 33. Then, the air is discharged to
the outside through the exhaust filter 17 and through the discharge
port 16 of the case 10, as long as the vacuum cleaner is
operated.
[0026] However, the conventional vacuum cleaner described above has
problems, such that the air heated while going through the fan
motor assembly 30 is discharged directly to the appliance chamber
13 through the exhaust port 33b, after that, the air is discharged
outside the case 10. Therefore, the case 10 may be distorted by the
heated air discharged from the fan motor assembly 30.
[0027] That is, the air entering into the fan motor assembly 30
from the appliance chamber 12 is heated while going through the
centrifugal fan 34 rotating at high speed and being compressed, and
it is heated again inside the driving motor 31, and accordingly the
temperature of the air discharged from the fan motor assembly 30 is
very high. On the contrary, the case 10 forming the appliance
chamber 13 is generally made using a synthetic resin material, and
therefore the high temperature air discharged from the fan motor
assembly 30 directly contacts the case 10 , and the case 10 may be
distorted by the high temperature air if the cleaner is used for a
lone time.
[0028] Also, in the conventional vacuum cleaner described above,
the cord chamber 14 in which the electrical cord 41 is wound and
stored has a closed structure except for the cord pass hole 19 for
passing the electrical cord 41, and thereby the temperature in the
cord chamber 14 is risen in accordance with the heat generation in
the electrical cord 41.
[0029] That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the heat generated from the
electrical cord 41 while using the vacuum cleaner flows to upper
part of the cord chamber 14, and remains therein, whereby the gap
in the temperature between the upper part and lower part of the
cord chamber 14 is about 26.degree. C. In addition, as the
temperature in the cord chamber 14 rises, the temperatures of the
electrical cord 41 and of the cord chamber 14 become nearly same,
and the electrical cord 41 is not cooled down well even if the
cooling holes 43a and 43b are formed in the cord reel 43.
[0030] Therefore, given the problems with the conventional vacuum
cleaner having the structure described above, it is difficult to
design a new model having a higher power output because the case 10
and the electrical cord 41 may be distorted by the heat generated
from the fan motor assembly 30 and from the electrical cord 41.
Moreover, if a heat-resistant coating agent is applied to the case
10 and the electrical cord 41 and/or the components are made using
materials of sufficient heat resistance and durability, the
production cost is increased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
a vacuum cleaner provided with a flowing guide for passing high
temperature air installed between a fan motor assembly and a
discharge port, and also with a flowing passage for cooling
installed between a dust chamber and cord chamber, whereby
overheating of the case and electrical cord may be prevented, and
whereby the durability and reliability of the vacuum cleaner are
enhanced.
[0032] To achieve the above objects of the present invention, there
is provided a vacuum cleaner according to the invention which
includes a case having a dust chamber for filtering dust from
sucked-in air, an appliance chamber sucking the filtered air from
the dust chamber and discharging it outside through a discharge
port, and a cord chamber for storing a wound electrical cord, these
chambers being separated from one another; a fan motor assembly
installed inside the appliance chamber of the case for forcedly
sucking in and discharging air into the inside of the dust chamber;
an exhaust duct means installed between the fan motor assembly and
the exhaust port in the case and guiding the air discharged through
the fan motor assembly to the exhaust port; and a flowing passage
means disposed between the dust chamber and the cord chamber so
that the air is able to flow inside the cord chamber.
[0033] Also, to achieve the objects of the present invention, there
is provided a vacuum cleaner which includes a case in which are
installed a dust chamber for filtering dust included in sucked-in
air, and an appliance chamber sucking the filtered air in the dust
chamber and discharging the air outside the case through a
discharge port; a fan motor assembly installed inside the appliance
chamber in the case and forcedly sucking and discharging the air
inside the dust chamber; and a discharge duct installed between the
fan motor assembly and the discharge port in the case and guiding
the air discharged through the fan motor assembly to the discharge
port.
[0034] Further, to achieve the objects of the present invention,
there is provided a vacuum cleaner which includes a case in which a
dust chamber for filtering dust included in sucked-in air, and a
cord chamber having a cord pass in hole in one side and storing a
wound electrical cord are installed separated from each other; and
at least one flowing passage is provided between the dust chamber
and the cord chamber so that air is able to flow therebetween.
[0035] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from
the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0037] In the drawings:
[0038] FIG. 1 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing a
conventional vacuum cleaner;
[0039] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view taken along the line
B-B in FIG. 1 and showing the inner structure of an appliance
chamber of the conventional vacuum cleaner;
[0040] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a fan motor
assembly in the appliance chamber shown in FIG. 2 and showing an
air flowing state therethrough;
[0041] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view taken along the line
B-B in FIG. 1 and showing the inner state of a cord chamber in the
conventional vacuum cleaner;
[0042] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a cord reel installed inside
the cord chamber shown in FIG. 4;
[0043] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an air flowing state in the
appliance chamber of the conventional vacuum cleaner;
[0044] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an air flowing state in the cord
chamber of the conventional vacuum cleaner;
[0045] FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view illustrating a
vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view taken along the line
C-C in FIG. 8 showing the inner structure of an appliance chamber
in the vacuum cleaner of the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view taken along the line
D-D in FIG. 8 showing the internal structure of a cord chamber in
the vacuum cleaner of the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing the inner
structure of an appliance chamber in a vacuum cleaner according to
another embodiment of the present invention; and
[0049] FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view showing the inner
structure of a cord chamber in the vacuum cleaner according to
still another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0050] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0051] FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view illustrating a
vacuum cleaner in accordance with the present invention.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 8, the vacuum cleaner according to the
present invention includes a suction head 51, an extension tube 52,
and a suction hose 53 connected with each other and coupled to a
front side of the case 55 so as to suck dust thereinto.
[0053] The case 55 includes a dust chamber 56 having a dust bag 60
for filtering dust included in sucked-in air, an appliance chamber
57 sucking the filtered air in the dust chamber 56 and discharging
it outside through a discharge port 57b, and a cord chamber 58
storing a wound electrical cord 81, these chamber 56, 57 and 58
being separated by respective parting walls 55a, 55b and 55c.
[0054] The dust chamber 56 is located in the front portion of the
case 55, and the appliance chamber 57 and the cord chamber 58 are
disposed in the rear portion of the case 55 behind the dust chamber
56 and separated by the partition wall 55c.
[0055] FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view taken along the line
C-C in FIG. 8 showing the inner structure of the appliance chamber
57.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, a suction port 57a communicated to the
dust chamber 56 is formed in the partition wall 55a in the front of
the appliance chamber 57. The fan motor assembly 70 is installed at
the rear side of the suction port 57a for generating a suction
force therethrough, and the discharge port 57b is installed at the
rear side of the fan motor assembly 70 so that the sucked-in air is
able to be discharged therethrough outside the case 55.
[0057] The fan motor assembly 70 includes a driving motor (not
shown) and a centrifugal fan (not shown) so as to forcedly suck the
air from inside the dust chamber 56 and discharge the air as
described above. The driving motor is installed in a motor housing
71, and the centrifugal fan is installed inside a fan cover 73 and
is rotated by the driving motor.
[0058] Herein, a front central part of the fan cover 73 is in
communication with the suction port 57a which is, in turn, in
communication with the dust chamber 56, and a plurality of
discharge ports 71a are formed in a peripheral part of the motor
housing 71 so that the air sucked into the fan cover 73 is able to
be discharged therethrough.
[0059] In addition, an exhaust filter 65 is installed over the
discharge port 57b of the appliance chamber 57 so as to filter the
discharged air, and a recessed filter holder 55d is formed in the
rear wall of the case 55 so as to receive the exhaust filter
65.
[0060] Especially, a generally cylindrical exhaust duct 77 is
installed around the fan motor assembly 70 to provide a flow path
between the fan motor assembly 70 and the discharge port 57b in the
case 55 for guiding the air discharged through the exhaust ports
71a in the motor housing 71 to the discharge port 57b in the case
55.
[0061] The exhaust duct 77 extends from the edge of a flange 71b
where the fan cover 73 and the motor housing 71 are coupled, that
is, from the periphery of the fan motor assembly 70 to the filter
holder 55d where the exhaust filter 65 is installed, whereby an air
flowing passage is formed between the fan motor assembly 70 and the
case 55.
[0062] That is, the exhaust duct 77 has a generally cylindrical
form having a larger inner diameter than the outer diameter of the
motor housing 71, and a front end part 77a of the exhaust duct 77
is fixed to the flange 71b of the fan motor assembly 70, while a
rear end part 77b of the exhaust duct 77 is fixed around and over
the filter holder 55d of the case 55 as shown in more detail in the
enlarged partial view in FIG. 9.
[0063] Here, it is desirable that the end part of the exhaust duct
77 which communicates to the filter holder 55d with the motor
housing 71 is made smaller or larger in accordance with the size of
the discharge port 57d.
[0064] In addition, it is desirable that an acoustically absorbent
sleeve 78 or the like made of a multiperforated film or foam is
installed around the periphery of the motor housing 71 located
inside the discharge duct 77 to reduce the noise generated when the
sucked-in air is discharged.
[0065] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view taken along the line
D-D in FIG. 8, showing the internal details of the cord
chamber.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 10, the cord chamber 58 includes a cord
passage hole 58b formed in the rear wall of the case 55 so that the
electrical cord 81 can be drawn therethrough, and a cord reel 82
including reel flanges 83 and a hub 84 is mounted inside the cord
chamber 58 so that the electrical cord can be wound thereon.
[0067] The cord reel 82 rotates on a reel axle shaft 85 supported
inside the case 55, and a plurality of cooling holes 84a through
which air can be passed are provided in the reel flanges 83 and the
hub 84 so as to cool down the electrical cord 81.
[0068] Especially, in the partition wall 55b between the dust
chamber 56 and the cord chamber 58, at least one cooling port 58a
is formed so that the high temperature air generated inside the
cord chamber 58 is able to be discharged to the appliance chamber
56.
[0069] The cooling port 58a is formed in the upper part of the cord
chamber 58 so as to be communicated with the appliance chamber 56,
so that the high temperature air can be easily discharged, and the
cord passage hole 58b is disposed in a lower part of the cord
chamber 58 so that the outer air can enter into the inside.
[0070] In addition, the cooling port 58a and the cord passage hole
58b are so formed as to be located on the opposite ends of the cord
chamber 58 from each other, and it is desirable that the sectional
area of the cooling port 58a is not more than 20 mm.sup.2.
[0071] Also, the cooling port 58a can be formed as a round, square
or variously shaped opening in accordance with the conditions.
[0072] Also, in case that the dust chamber 56 and the cord chamber
58 are provided within a certain distance from each other and are
not separated by a partition wall, a extension pipe or duct of a
certain length can be installed so that the air inside the cord
chamber is able to flow to the dust chamber.
[0073] The operation of the vacuum cleaner according to the present
invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0074] When a user draws out the electrical cord 81 stored in the
cord chamber 58 to a certain length and inserts a plug of the
electrical cord 81 into a wall outlet, electric power is supplied
to the vacuum cleaner.
[0075] In the state that electric power is supplied to the vacuum
cleaner, when the power switch is turned on, the driving motor
inside the appliance chamber 57 is operated, whereby the
centrifugal fan is rotated. At that time, dust from a cleaning area
where the suction head is located enters into the dust bag 60
through the suction head 51 and the suction hose 52 by the suction
force of the air inside the dust chamber 57 being sucked into the
appliance chamber 57.
[0076] The air entering inside the dust chamber 60 flows to the
appliance chamber 57 by the continued suction of the fan motor
assembly 70. At that time, foreign materials such as dust are left
in the dust bag 60, and the air filtered by passing through the
dust bag 60 is sucked into the fan motor assembly 70, and then
discharged inside the exhaust duct 77 through the exhaust ports 71a
in the motor housing 71.
[0077] Herein, the filtered air being discharged into the exhaust
duct 77 is compressed while passing through the centrifugal fan,
and discharged into the exhaust duct 77 in a heated state where it
expands while cooling down the driving motor.
[0078] The air discharged into the exhaust duct 77 is not contacted
with the inner surface of the case 55 forming the appliance chamber
57, but is discharged directly to the outside through the discharge
port 57b in the case 55 after passing through the exhaust filter
65.
[0079] Therefore, the heated air while passing through the fan
motor assembly 70 and appliance chamber 57 is not contacted with
the case 55, but is confined by and goes through the exhaust duct
77. Then the air is discharged outside through the discharge port
57b directly, whereby distortion of the case plastic due to the
heated air is able to be prevented.
[0080] Also, the heated air discharged through the exhaust ports
71a of the motor housing 70 does not go through a complex or
circuitous flowing passage during the process of flowing to the
discharge port 57b of the case 55 as in the conventional art, but
is discharged outside the case 55 through a short flowing passage
formed by the exhaust duct 77, whereby the flowing of the air can
be achieved in simple way.
[0081] On the other hand, the air inside the cord chamber 58 is
heated by the heat generated from the electrical cord 81 wound on
the cord reel 82, whereby the air density inside the cord chamber
58 is reduced and the air moves upward in the cord chamber 58.
[0082] At that time, external air is sucked into the cord chamber
58 through the cord passage hole located in the lower part of the
cord chamber 58, and the heated air is discharged to the dust
chamber 56 through the cooling port 58a located in the upper part
of the cord chamber 58. Thereby the temperature inside the cord
chamber 58 is lowered and over-heating of the electrical cord 81
can be prevented.
[0083] That is, the cooling port 58a is formed between the dust
chamber 56 and the cord chamber 58, whereby the suction force
generated in the appliance chamber 57 is also communicated to the
cord chamber 58 through the dust chamber 56 and cooling part 58a.
Therefore, the flowing of the air inside the cord chamber is made
sufficiently, and accordingly, cooling in the cord chamber 58
including the electrical cord 81 can be enhanced.
[0084] Even if the cooling port 58a formed between the dust chamber
56 and the cord chamber 58 is formed with a diameter of only 3.5
mm, the temperature of the electrical cord 81 wound in the cord
chamber 58 is reduced by more than 15.degree. C., as proven in an
actual experiment.
[0085] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing the inner
structure of an appliance chamber in a vacuum cleaner according to
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0086] In the embodiment already described above, the discharge
ports 71b in the fan motor assembly 70 are formed in a peripheral
surface of the motor housing 71, whereas in this new embodiment
discharge ports 71b' in a fan motor assembly 70' are formed in a
rear surface of a motor housing 71'.
[0087] Therefore, in this second embodiment, a discharge duct 77'
is extended from a rear edge surface of the motor housing 71' of
the fan motor assembly 70' to a discharge port 57b' in the case
55', whereby the air discharged from the fan motor assembly 70' is
guided to the discharge port 57b' by the exhaust duct 77'.
[0088] The exhaust duct 77' described above has a generally
cylindrical form, and the inlet and outlet of the exhaust duct 77'
are fixed on the motor housing 71' and over a the filter holder
55d', respectively.
[0089] The heated air discharged from the fan motor assembly 70' is
not contacted with the case 55', but is discharged directly outside
through the exhaust duct 77' and the discharge port 57b', whereby
distortion of the case 55' by the heated air is able to be
prevented.
[0090] Also, the exhaust ports 71b' are formed in the rear side of
the motor housing 71' facing toward the discharge port 57b' in the
case 55', and the exhaust duct 77' is communicated between the
exhaust ports 71b' and the discharge port 57b'. Therefore, the flow
resistance against the air discharged from the fan motor assembly
70' is minimized, whereby the discharging efficiency can be
increased. Accordingly, the suction force which greatly affects the
function of the vacuum cleaner is able to be increased.
[0091] FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view showing the inner
structure of a cord chamber in a vacuum cleaner according to still
another embodiment of the present invention.
[0092] In the cord chamber 58' according to this further
embodiment, a cord passage hole 58b' is formed in the rear of the
case 55' so that an electrical cord 81' can be drawn therethrough,
and at least one cooling hole 58a' is formed in a partition wall
55b' between the appliance chamber 56' and the cord chamber 58' so
that the high temperature air generated in the cord chamber 58' can
be discharged to the dust chamber 56'.
[0093] Especially, in a lower part of the case 55' forming the
lower part of the cord chamber 58', an auxiliary port 58c
communicated with the outside is formed.
[0094] Herein, the auxiliary port 58c can be formed as a round,
square, or variously shaped opening.
[0095] On the other hand, a cooling port 58a' is formed in an upper
part of the cord chamber 58' to be communicated with the dust
chamber 56'; so that the air of high temperature air is able to be
discharged smoothly therethrough.
[0096] As described above, if the auxiliary port 58c is formed in
the lower part of the cord chamber 58', external air can be
sufficiently sucked into the cord chamber 58' through the port 58c
and the cord passage hole 58b', and therefore the electrical cord
81 is able to be cooled more efficiently.
[0097] In the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention,
the air heated while passing through the fan motor assembly is
directly discharged outside without contacting the case, and
therefore even if the user operates the vacuum cleaner for a long
time, distortion of the case caused by heated air discharged from
the fan motor assembly is able to be prevented.
[0098] Also, the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention
has a cooling port formed between the cord chamber and the dust
chamber, whereby the electrical cord stored in the cord chamber is
able to be cooled efficiently.
[0099] The vacuum cleaner according to the present invention is
constructed to reduce or cool the heat generated from the fan motor
assembly and from the electrical cord, whereby the distortion of
the case and heating of the electrical cord can be prevented.
Accordingly, use of higher cost materials with high heat resistance
and high durability is not required, and thereby the product cost
can be reduced and a vacuum cleaner with higher output is able to
be provided.
[0100] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described
embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing
description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be
construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the
appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that
fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of
such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the
appended claims.
* * * * *